Series Read: Walt Longmire series by Craig Johnson

[Michelle]

Mary: Harry Dresden's Love Slave wrote: "OMG! (she says in her best imitation of her teenage daughter). The beginning of Junkyard Dogs should not be started in your car on the way to work. Luckily I have a short commute. My eyes were wa..."

Me too! I am loving this one. It may be my favorite so far. So much Walt and Henry buddy comedy, with Lucien in there for flavor.

(view spoiler)[I hope Sancho can stick it out. I really like him. (hide spoiler)]

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Hehe! It's a good one, Michelle. It was hard not to jump right into the next book. Reading Johnson's work is like reading a letter from home. It just has that comfy feel that makes the time pass quickly.

[Michelle]

About 100 pages left. Finishing tonight.
(view spoiler)[My favorite part in the diner..."is everyone in this county a smart ass?" Pretty much!
(hide spoiler)]

[Sheila]

Is anyone ready to read
Hell Is Empty by Craig Johnson yet?

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

I'll be ready Sunday, Sheila. Will that work?

[Sheila]

Great Becky - Sunday it is. thanks

[SthTx Dawn]

I'm am just starting this series with The Cold Dish. Listening to the audio version. I'm falling in love with this series and the characters. I can definitely see why so many people love it.

[Michelle]

It's such a fun series, Dawn! I think it will become one of your favorites!

[SthTx Dawn]

I think so Michelle..I can't count how many times I have laughed out loud while listening..I love Johnson's quirky humor

[Laura]

SthTx Dawn wrote: "I think so Michelle..I can't count how many times I have laughed out loud while listening..I love Johnson's quirky humor"

I love his quirky humor too! I can't wait until my next book comes in!

[SthTx Dawn]

my online library has the next in the series..audio version, but I will be on the look out for the hardcover version of the books in this series to add to my collection..think they would make a great addition.

The audio book is well done, but this just seems like one of those books where reading it would be more fun..

[Sheila]

Hell Is Empty by Craig Johnson

Chapters 1 - 4

(view spoiler)[

Fun game to keep track of the insults from the prisoners. I guess you need something to pass the time.

Interesting conversation with his prisoner regarding the snow/static.

They sure seem to be taking their time messing with these prisoner transports. I would think they would want to get these guys delivered and locked up ASAP.

Sounds like perhaps this Beatrice from the lodge was in on the escape. It seems like winter weather comes in to play in a lot of the mysteries I read. Have you noticed that?

Is there ever cell phone service when needed?

Just when things seem like they can't get worse. There is a mountain lion growling at you. (hide spoiler)]

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Book:
Chapters 1 thru 4

Great spoilers, Sheila! This is going to be quite the adventure. (view spoiler)[Poor McGroder. He's in rough shape, but I like that he teased Walt about Cliff Cly.

I wonder how Beatrice figures into this. Obviously she put the makeshift keys in the sandwiches, but is she involved with Raynaud or one of the others? Raynaud is one scary dude. His conversation with Walt (in the bathroom) was pretty freaky.

It's good to see Sancho back on his game. I was worried we would lose him in the last book. (hide spoiler)]

[Sheila]

Hell Is Empty by Craig Johnson


Chapters 5 -7

(view spoiler)[

Yes I am glad Sancho is in this one, but I sure miss Vic.

Chapter 5 - As if being up against convicted killers isn't bad enough, poor Walt has his own personal mountain lion to deal with.

Chapter 6 - Interesting way to leave a message - yellow snow.

Chapter 7 - I never can figure out why women get mixed up with prisoners and prisoner escape. I don't get it. (hide spoiler)]

[Sheila]

Hell Is Empty by Craig Johnson


Chapters 8 - end

(view spoiler)[

Walt sure has an interesting group of helpers doesn't he?

Omar the drunk hunter and Virgil the crazy criminal Indian dressed in a grizzly hide and head.

How about the phone call between Walt and Shade while pointing rifles at one another.

Wasn't the fire beautifully described?

So bleak and cold. I think I shivered all the way through.

I never could tell if Virgil was alive or just Walt's imagination.

Quite the confrontation between Shade and Walt. That Lance really came in handy.

I sure missed Vic and Henry in this book. (hide spoiler)]

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Chapters 5 - 9

(view spoiler)[I really liked Omar from the first book. He's a neat guy. So glad he got Walt outfitted for the elements, too.

Beatrice fell for the oldest scam in the book. I've never been able to understand how women think helping a prisoner escape will improve their lives. So sad. *sigh*

Now what exactly is Raynaud after? If he's as "brilliant" as Beatrice says he is, there's no way he went higher into the mountains by mistake. He's after something.

Yay! Love it that Virgil showed up! (hide spoiler)]

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Finished

This was quite the adventure for Walt! (view spoiler)[I loved the way the author handled Virgil and Henry's stance at the end: "Just because he was not there, does not mean he was not there." Yep. That pretty much explains that!

This one was a spine tingler! One minute Walt's freezing to death, the next he's about to get boiled alive. The whole forest fire scene was extremely well written.

The mystery that surrounds the Indian spirits gives the book an added sense of intrigue. This was a good another great addition the series. (hide spoiler)]

[Kay Kay]

I just finished Kindness Goes Unpunished. This series just gets better and better!

[Michelle]

Started this morning. Chapter 6.

Loving it so far.
(view spoiler)[Love that we are getting some Sancho/Walt time. Sancho is a real favorite of mine. I knew we were in trouble when the crazy one-eyed convict Raynaud started telling Walt he was hearing voices, but I did not suspect Beatrice of being involved. Sancho better stay safe protecting the hurt FBI guy.
(hide spoiler)]

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Michelle...your spoiler: (view spoiler)[I LOVED Sancho in this book. It's good to see him getting back to normal! (hide spoiler)]

[Stormie ~ Book Dragon ~]

I want to do this challenge. :) I love the television series. I have the first book and I will start on it after I finish a few other things. :)

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

I believe we have a new group of victims soon-to-be fans starting ! Laura and I will be happy to pop in and chat with you as you work through the series. It's not really work....these books are too incredible to call work!

Anyone interested in joining, please pop in and post away!

[Marla]

Hey, Becky, I started this earlier this month and didn't get very far when my library book disappeared. No one has seen it and I haven't a clue. I have a feeling I will be buying another library book...

I am leaving on vacation tomorrow morning, so I will rejoin Walt next month...unless I buy it on my Nook on vacation...hmmm...I'm taking 2 books with me, so we'll see.

[Marla]

The good news is I found my book and finished it.

The bad news is I am looking for friends to discuss it with...hello?...

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Marla wrote: "The good news is I found my book and finished it.

The bad news is I am looking for friends to discuss it with...hello?..."

Hey, Marla!

I'm here! What did you think of the book? Which one did you finish? I'm up to book 9 or 10, so I'd be happy to discuss it with you!

[Michelle]

I'm in the same place as Becky, but I'll chat. I'm running out of books and may have to go back to the beginning and read again!

I've been partially satisfying myself with the TV series but it's just not the same.

[Marla]

Thanks, for slumming with me.

I read the first one. I really liked the characters, but I still found it a little slow. Maybe the descriptions (which I didn't mind) just slowed the pace of the book. I cannot decide if I like the (view spoiler)[ mystical Indian guardians or not.

I know I watch too much Criminal Minds, but I found it tough to believe that someone who was molested would start serial killing guys who raped someone else. Now, don't get me wrong, I was cheering for them getting done in, but as Walt and company said, they kind of wished they had done it, but none of them actually did. And honestly, the fake feathers seemed like the murderer was trying to pin in on someone else. Then I was less sympathetic.
(hide spoiler)]

I did like the characters! Lucien, Ruby, Henry, Walt, Vonnie, the restaurant owner, Lonnie (yes, mm-hmm, it is so), Omar, oh and, of course, Vic! And I despised Cody and Turk. That's some good writing to evoke that kind of feeling out of me.

Truly Walt's house, Absorka County and the onset of Wyoming winter were all tangible characters in the book.

I might have to watch the show, but does it follow the books? Do I have to read them first to not ruin them? I'm thinking I might want to listen to these books rather than read them.

[Marla]

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Mary: Harry Dresden's Love Slave wrote: "Yes I am liking the writing style as well. I think that I will stick to print/ebook for the rest though. Johnson seems to have this habit of going into a flash back or just cutting from one "scene..."

At the beginning of this thread they do make a good case about sticking with the printed book rather than audiobooks because of the flashbacks. Do they have as many flashbacks in the subsequent books?

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Marla wrote: "At the beginning of this thread they do make a good case about sticking with the printed book rather than audiobooks because of the flashbacks. Do they have as many flashbacks in the subsequent books? "

It all depends on the story. Some have flashbacks, some don't. Let me think a minute here...

Books with significant flashbacks:



I thought they got a little easier to follow after book 1. The other books may have a few minor flashbacks, but I don't recall. Another Man's Moccasins was actually a two stories in one book.

Enjoy! I can't bring myself to pick up Any Other Name because I know I'm almost caught up with the series. Then what am I supposed to do? LOL!

[Michelle]

The show loosely follows the books. I don't think you have to have read them to enjoy the show. The characters are different, so be prepared. Vic especially, in my opinion.

[Marla]

Thanks, Becky, I won't listen to those books. Well, even if you read Any Other Name, there's another one anticipated for 2015...

Question: (view spoiler)[ Did Vonnie's dog have a name? Or do we not know it yet? (hide spoiler)]

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Hey Marla!

About Vonnie's dog....(view spoiler)[he goes by "Dog". I don't think Walt ever found out what his name was to begin with. The name really fits though. He's always present in the books and has become a secondary character. I love how Johnson brings his doggy thoughts to life through Walt. (hide spoiler)]

[Marla]

Michelle wrote: "The show loosely follows the books. I don't think you have to have read them to enjoy the show. The characters are different, so be prepared. Vic especially, in my opinion."

I was more worried about watching the TV series ruining the books for me. But I am almost done with the first episode and enjoying it. I hope they didn't just use the mystery from another book, because I intend on reading the books too.

I'm hoping like some of the Monk books, the show has different cases than the books.

Speaking of TV shows, Longmire on the TV series reminds me of the Six Million Dollar Man (Steve Austin/Lee Majors) mixed with Dennis Quaid...not a bad combination at all :D (Though I guess I'm really showing my age.)

[Marla]

Becky ♡The Bookworm♡ wrote: "Hey Marla!

About Vonnie's dog....[spoilers removed]"

LOL Becky, thanks.

[Laura]

Hi All,
I've fallen off reading the novels for a variety of reasons, though I hope to get back to them someday.

In the mean time I wanted to make sure the TV series fans are aware that Netflix has picked it up and the new season starts soon! You can read about it and see a trailer here:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/20...

[Laura]

I'm starting tomorrow. Anyone read it?